After the Arab Uprisings An Update on the Economic Outlook for the Middle East & North Africa Two years after the Arab uprisings began, many countries in the Middle East and North Africa are undergoing complex political, social and economic transformations. Arab countries in transition are trying to articulate economic reform agendas amidst tumultuous internal developments and a challenging external environment. The divergent economic interests of governments and civil society groups further complicate the reform process. Alongside these near-term obstacles to economic stability, the region must contend with the medium-term challenges of diversifying their economies, creating jobs, and generating more inclusive growth. New America Foundation's Middle East Task Force held this event featuring Adnan Mazarei, the Deputy Director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, to discuss the region's economic performance in 2012 and expectations for 2013. This conversation highlights the IMF's 2013 Regional Economic Outlook on the Middle East, focusing on the report's findings and policy recommendations for addressing the region's economic hardships. PARTICIPANTS Adnan Mazarei Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, International Monetary Fund Discussant Afshin Molavi Senior Advisor, Oxford-Analytica Senior Research Fellow, National Security Studies Program, New America Foundation newamerica.net/events/2013/after_the_arab_uprisings